Vinegar can be used to clean almost anything in your home. Not only is it a fantastic way to avoid using harsh chemicals that affect your health and the health of our environment, but it is also easy and economical! Try some of the simple, non-toxic recipes below using white distilled vinegar for a cleaner, healthier home:

• Shine chrome sink fixtures using 2 tablespoons salt and 1 teaspoon vinegar.
• Clean and deodorize drains and garbage disposals by pouring in 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup hot vinegar. Let sit for 5 minutes then run hot water down the drain.
• Clean your microwave by mixing 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/2 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl. Bring the mixture to a boil inside the microwave to loosen baked-on food and vanquish odors!
• Discourage ants and other pests by spraying undiluted vinegar around doorways, windowsills, appliances, and wherever you find the critters entering your home. Win the war on fruit flies by setting out a small dish of undiluted vinegar.
• Kill germs in your bathroom, on doorknobs, or any other surface in your home by spraying undiluted vinegar and wiping clean with a damp cloth. *Never use vinegar on marble as the acid may damage the surface.
• Create your own streak-free window/mirror cleaning solution by combining 1/2 cup non-sudsy ammonia, 1 cup vinegar, and 2 tablespoons cornstarch in a gallon of water.

Start using all or some of these economically and environmentally friendly cleaning tips to reduce the waste, cost, and harsh chemicals associated with most manufactured cleaning products. And don’t stop there! In our efforts to become a more sustainable company, and through our participation in the Charlottesville Better Business Challenge, we have discovered a plethora of ways to be ecologically responsible at the work place and at home. Visit vinegartips.com to learn more about the many non-toxic uses for vinegar, and check out BetterWorldBetty.org for an extensive list of green living tips.

Look out, Charlottesville – winter has finally decided to make an appearance! After enjoying a nearly 60 degree day today, and a nearly identical day called for tomorrow, the meteorologists at Newsplex and NBC29 are calling for snow on Sunday. To help prepare you for this event, we’d like to remind you of a few things:

• Please be sure to use main sidewalks during and after any snowfall and be sure to wear appropriate footwear for any slippery conditions.
• Woodard Properties has provided snow shovels in most laundry rooms or building common areas for your use in clearing vehicles, etc.
• Depending on the amount and timing of any snowfall, the office may be closed, or open late on Monday, February 20th.
• If you have a maintenance emergency, please call (434) 972-1048.

If the weather predictions are accurate, we could be in for a lot of wet, heavy snow. Please use caution if you have to go anywhere, or better yet – sit back with a hot cup of cocoa and enjoy what may be our only snowfall this year! Send us a picture of how you enjoy your snow day!

Joy, Amanda, Annette, and Nancy at Quadruplicity 2012

The Charlottesville Chamber of Commerce has been instrumental in helping me appreciate the wonderful things this community has to offer. Through programs and events like Leadership Charlottesville, Quadruplicity, The Businesswoman’s Roundtable & The Annual Business Luncheon I have learned so much about Charlottesville and have met some really amazing people.  I am not a schmoozer, but I do enjoy meeting and getting to know people and learning new things.  Through the Chamber, I have discovered that business people here are friendly, genuine, and eager to help you be successful.  Thank you Charlottesville Chamber of Commerce for enriching my life and work in this community.              ]]> http://woodardproperties.com/news/community-news/charlottesville-chamber-of-commerce/feed/ 0 http://woodardproperties.com/news/open-house-at-comyn-hall/ http://woodardproperties.com/news/open-house-at-comyn-hall/#comments Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:54:47 +0000 mandywoodard http://woodardproperties.com/?p=3426

Comyn Hall, located at 601 Park Street

We have always considered it a privilege to be involved in a community as steeped in culture and history as Charlottesville.  With the renovation of Comyn Hall at 601 Park Street complete, we are excited to become a part of the rich architectural neighborhood surrounding Park Street and the Historic Downtown Area.

Comyn Hall is a grand historic house which has been  renovated into twelve beautiful luxury apartments.  The renovations were done in accordance to the National Park Service guidelines in order to preserve the historic nature of the building.   These new apartments boast hardwood floors, granite counter tops, high ceilings, ceiling fans, fully-equipped kitchens, washer & dryer, and an abundance of natural light.

See for yourself how enchanting these apartments really are.  Come to our open house on Sunday, February 26th from 12pm-3pm.  Too excited to wait?  Call our office to arrange a tour.

“…we think that too many items get discarded when they could still be used and treasured by someone else. We rescue these items and find good homes for them. You never know what you will find – vintage furniture, antiques, collectibles, glassware, household & kitchen items, books, movies, toys & more!”…in a nut shell, that’s Possessions Recycled.

Located at 1713 Allied Street in the McIntire Plaza, Possessions Recycled is not your average furniture store.  They buy, sell and trade furniture and other household goods with a constant turnover in fresh inventory.  They provide the opportunity to purchase gently used and new quality items at significant savings.

As a consultant for a large order fulfillment corporation in the Washington, DC area, Bob Notto suffered from corporate burn-out.  In 2006, Bob and his former business partner starting going to estate and garage sales purchasing items of interest.  After a while, they decided to stop just buying and start selling.  So, they began marketing the items on-line.  In 2007, they decided to expand from their limited Internet presence to an actual retail location.  Thus, Possessions Recycled was born.

Bob travels to a couple thousand auctions every year, as far as Texas and Massachusetts, to buy the very best items.  He also purchases from estate liquidations, private individuals, those who are downsizing, reorganizing, real-estate staging or people who just want to unclutter their homes.

In a stubbornly depressed economy, Possessions Recycled offers a superior alternative to high priced retail chains.  In a day when consumers are much more careful about what they buy and the amount of money they spend you can take comfort in knowing that Possessions Recycled offers quality and selection at real value.  Chances are if you want a certain furniture item or household good then Possessions Recycled will either have it or can get it for you.

If you cannot take the items you want with you then Possessions Recycled can deliver your purchases inside and outside of the Charlottesville city limits.  In fact, they have customers in over fifty countries because they have the capability to ship any item worldwide.

As a result of the pride taken to offer the best merchandise combined with their personal friendly service, Possessions Recycled has a vast following of happy, repeat customers.  So, if you’re in the market for furniture, household items or anything in between and do not want to pay the inflated prices of retail chains, check out Possessions Recycled today.

Located at McIntire Plaza off Harris Street…just look for the funky colored buildings.

Moving can be one of the most stressful times in a person’s life.  There are so many options when choosing where to live.  I often meet people who are overwhelmed when deciding where to move, especially if they are moving for the first time.  Follow these simple steps to an easier way to choose your home:

1. Set your budget.  Everyone has a budget.  Determine how much you can afford to spend on rent and how much you are willing to spend.  Remember, advertised rents often do not include utility costs.  Utilities will be a separate expense.  Begin your search within your budget.

2. Next, make a list of what features you would like within your new home.  List according to importance to you.  Think about room sizes, appliances, parking, location, etc.  Here is my list:

• minimum of 2 bedrooms
• washer/dryer or washer/dryer hook up
• storage/closet space
• hardwood floors
• location
• large kitchen
• linen closet in bathroom
• dishwasher

When you move into a new apartment, one of the first things you may want to do is make it reflect your personality.  Decorating can be a lot of fun and doesn’t have to be a lot of work.  Here are 3 easy ways to add a little pizzazz to your new home:

1. Curtains
Curtains make a room feel warm and cozy and are a great way to bring in color.   Light colored, sheer curtains can make a room seem bigger and brighter.  If you are a light sleeper, you may want to put up dark, heavy curtains in your bedroom to keep out the sunlight in the morning.

2. Table Settings
Buy a set of dishes that reflect your personality.  They could be modern and chic or bright and fun.  Depending on the size of your table, set two or four sets out with each set sitting on a place mat.  If you want, add a centerpiece for flair.

3. Rugs
Rugs are an excellent way to add color and personality.  Fun doormats are welcoming and can also help reduce the dirt that may be tracked into your home.

Jay White, Joy Waring and Crys Clements

Changes are already taking place here at Woodard Properties.  Why?  Because our valiant team decided to take on the challenge and compete in the Charlottesville Area Better Business Challenge.  This is a friendly competition amongst 100+ Charlottesville area businesses to incorporate sustainable practices in their day-to-day operations.  Many of our own commercial tenants are involved as well.  The Challenge’s mission is right in alignment with our businesses core purpose which is to improve the quality of living and working in our community.

The Plaza…nope, not the Plaza Hotel in New York City but rather something less exclusive, more colorful and definitely very diverse…

McIntire Plaza currently is the vibrant home to over 70 businesses in the City of Charlottesville.  It’s like a little town without having to pay for parking.  It’s got old school appeal with new school conveniences.  Whether it’s a retail store, warehouse space, an office location or a good restaurant…McIntire Plaza has it. 

McIntire Plaza boasts anchor stores such as Circa, C’ville Coffee, Great Harvest Bread Company and Carpet Plus.  Contractors, caterers, consultants and service providers make up just a few of the businesses which can meet or serve your needs. 

It’s one stop shopping or shopping in one place.  It’s McIntire Plaza…it’s your choice.  You can do business here or locate your business here.  Either way, you just need to get here.

“Floors are the foundation of your home. So we take them pretty seriously.”  So begins the philosophy of Carpet Plus.  As an anchor business of McIntire Plaza, Carpet Plus occupies some 4,000 square feet of retail and warehouse space at this active Charlottesville business park.  Founded in 1987 by Duane Cassis, Carpet Plus has been meeting the flooring demands of Charlottesville and the surrounding communities for nearly 25 years. 

Duane worked for a year with a flooring contractor before deciding that he could be more successful on his own.  Initially, he just served property management companies.  Back then he worked out of a warehouse on Harris Street.  Duane came to McIntire Plaza 16 years ago starting with a small 600 sq. ft. storage space.  Upon moving to his current location at 1739 Allied Street, Suite A, he took what was then a large warehouse space and slowly built a beautiful showroom and retail store which offers flooring products ranging from the simple & inexpensive to the intricate & luxurious. 

Also upon coming to McIntire Plaza, Duane hired a part-time office assistant who would not only become a full-time employee but also his business partner, co-owner and wife of 12 years, Cindy Adams.  Together, they have built Carpet Plus into one of the leading floor covering retailers in the area.  Carpet Plus was named Retailer of the Year in 2010 by the World Floor Covering Association.  In addition, this year Carpet Plus was the first recipient of the FCW’s Green-Step award which recognizes leadership in green retailing. 

Through Carpet Plus, Duane and Cindy are also very involved in the community.  For the past 2 years Carpet Plus has been a sponsor of First Night Virginia.  Both Duane and Cindy serve on the First Night Board of Directors.  They also began a cork recycling program, Re-Cork C’Ville, in 2009.  This program recycles thousands of corks each month.  There are currently 62 recycling boxes around the area in restaurants, vineyards, grocery stores and markets.  They also have had sales which a portion of the proceeds went to breast cancer research and the SPCA. 

Charlottesville is fortunate to have a business such as Carpet Plus and business owners such as Duane and Cindy who give so much back to the community.  So the next time you’re in the market for floor coverings of any kind come to Carpet Plus located in McIntire Plaza.  You’ll not only work with flooring professionals but also a company that cares about the community in which it serves.